Salt City Sooner
10/2/2009, 12:51 AM
The Cincinnati Bengals defense hasn’t had an enforcer in its secondary since David Fulcher wore the tiger stripes. But that all changed when safety Roy Williams joined the club. Three games into the season, Williams is making his presence felt on defense.
Not only is the hard-hitting safety knocking people out this season, but is proving to be no has-been, which some had suggested. There are those who view this season as a comeback year for Williams after missing 13 games in 2008.
Early on, Williams is looking every bit of the five-time Pro Bowl selection he once was in 2003 through 2007, and racking up the punishing hits.
In Week 1 against Denver, Williams welcomed Broncos rookie running back Knowshon Moreno into the league by knocking him silly. Moreno staggered off the field in a daze and spent most of the third quarter on the sideline after the hit.
The following week against Green Bay, Williams laid a wicked shot on Packers’ tight end Donald Lee, who was left sprawled over the field and experienced some numbness in his arms. Williams hit Lee so hard the rest of his family may have felt it.
“Mama Said Knock You Out!”
Against Pittsburgh on Sunday, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger got a little taste of the safety’s hitting ability while trying to make a tackle after throwing an interception. Granted, Roethlisberger didn’t get rocked like Moreno and Lee, but he didn’t enjoy the contact.
The Bengals acquired Williams in the offseason to improve the team’s defense and so far he’s living up to expectations. In fact, Williams’ seek-and-destroy mentality fuels the defense. He leads the team in tackles with 23 and is ranked in the Top 30 among players in that category. All the talk about the player’s ability to pass-cover seems to be an after thought. Williams brings veteran leadership and a winning attitude to the locker room.
Williams said after the game on Sunday that the defense is still learning, but is coming together quickly. He also said that he expects big things from the unit down the road.
The Bengals defense is on the rise in the NFL and currently ranked 16th overall.
Side note: Williams was limited in practice on Wednesday due to a sore forearm but is expected to be ready for Sunday’s game.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/big_c_nfl_blitz/index.html
Not only is the hard-hitting safety knocking people out this season, but is proving to be no has-been, which some had suggested. There are those who view this season as a comeback year for Williams after missing 13 games in 2008.
Early on, Williams is looking every bit of the five-time Pro Bowl selection he once was in 2003 through 2007, and racking up the punishing hits.
In Week 1 against Denver, Williams welcomed Broncos rookie running back Knowshon Moreno into the league by knocking him silly. Moreno staggered off the field in a daze and spent most of the third quarter on the sideline after the hit.
The following week against Green Bay, Williams laid a wicked shot on Packers’ tight end Donald Lee, who was left sprawled over the field and experienced some numbness in his arms. Williams hit Lee so hard the rest of his family may have felt it.
“Mama Said Knock You Out!”
Against Pittsburgh on Sunday, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger got a little taste of the safety’s hitting ability while trying to make a tackle after throwing an interception. Granted, Roethlisberger didn’t get rocked like Moreno and Lee, but he didn’t enjoy the contact.
The Bengals acquired Williams in the offseason to improve the team’s defense and so far he’s living up to expectations. In fact, Williams’ seek-and-destroy mentality fuels the defense. He leads the team in tackles with 23 and is ranked in the Top 30 among players in that category. All the talk about the player’s ability to pass-cover seems to be an after thought. Williams brings veteran leadership and a winning attitude to the locker room.
Williams said after the game on Sunday that the defense is still learning, but is coming together quickly. He also said that he expects big things from the unit down the road.
The Bengals defense is on the rise in the NFL and currently ranked 16th overall.
Side note: Williams was limited in practice on Wednesday due to a sore forearm but is expected to be ready for Sunday’s game.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/big_c_nfl_blitz/index.html